Numerous American flags fly on two lawns along state Route 118 - less than a mile apart - for two longtime friends and 2003 Coldwater graduates who recently returned from duty with the U.S. Army National Guard in Baghdad, Iraq. Both soldiers - Sgt. Aaron Alig, the son of Ralph and Diane Alig, and Sgt. Derrick Timmerman, the son of David and Sandy Timmerman, were welcomed home by family and friends Thursday. The young men - best friends since their early school days - signed up for the military on the same day and were stationed in different areas at Camp Cropper in Baghdad. Both soldiers served 16 months overseas and are uncertain whether they will be called back to war in the future. The flags were used last year at the Healing Field in Maria Stein and provided to the families to help honor their returning soldiers.